Pulse of the People: Nov. 21, 2013

On Nov. 22, 1963, I was 20 years old working as an Apprentice Machinist at the Watervliet Arsenal.

I lived in Valley Falls. I rode to work with fellow employees. On Nov. 22, my mother was using my car, and was picking me up at noon. We were going to pick up my very first new car, a 1964 Ford Galaxy 500XL Convertible ($4,100).

We sat in the waiting room while they were installing fender skirts. A mechanic came into the showroom and said something to the secretary. She started crying, so Mom went to her to check on her. She told us the President had been shot. That’s how I heard the news.

I have a 250 foot 8m/m film, “John Fitzgerald Kennedy Man and President” from Castle Films. Tells the life and death of President Kennedy. Also, a Norman Rockwell framed coarse textured picture of John Kennedy.

I’ll always remember my first car, but also the loss of a great man that day.

Stephen Carknard Jr.

Johnsonville

We must return to

voting on principle

It is time to return to morality, and morality means that we do the right thing even if it doesn’t make money.

The gambling casino initiative is a good example. It was passed because it promised to bring in money, not because it was the right thing to do. John Gray points out in his recent column that he voted against the initiative “on principle.”

We all need to return to voting on principle if we are to return to sanity and stability. Short term gain and a “quick fix” will only lead to greater expense and more serious issues that need to be resolved in the future.

We can also use the gambling casino initiative as an example. In the short term casinos might bring in a financial shot in the arm to our communities, but in the long run they will destroy them. Gambling junkies will end up living on welfare, and they are certainly not the role models that we want for our children. They have enough bad ones already.

Our entire country has turned into one gigantic gambling casino. Sports betting, lotto and lawsuits dominate people’s lives and have replaced hard work and saving our money. Everyone wants a quick fix today.

We as a nation have “sold our soul” and the results of that soul selling are now right in our faces.

Joseph H. Vanderpool

Rensselaer

Wishing more years

of success, service

Before their centennial years end, I want to wish Manory’s and Freihofer’s a very happy 100th — and may they both enjoy many more years of success and great service to the public.

Growing up in Troy, we were quite familiar with both — in different ways. We had to walk (from Hoosick and Eighth) to Manory’s, while the Freihofer wagon came along quietly in the middle of the night.

I have a distinct memory of going to Manory’s at Eastertime while in sixth grade at St. Peter’s Academy. A couple of classmates had the idea of getting a box of Easter candy for our teacher, Sister James Vincent, and all the nuns at the convent. We went on Fifth Avenue across from the school, in front of Mike De Christopher’s store. We hit up everybody who came along and eventually two girls figured we had enough coins to purchase a box. Several of us walked down to Manory’s and stated our purpose - a box of candy for the Sisters of St. Joseph. Mr. Manory helped select the item and while it was being packed, reached into the display case and gave each of us several pieces of candy. We all were sincerely appreciative of his gift.

Back we went to the convent, rang the bell, and who appeared but our teacher, dressed not in a full habit but in work clothing - she was cleaning the staircase. Needless to say, the nuns were appreciative, as were we for Mr. Manory’s gifts to us.

As to Freihofer’s nightly visits, like all their customers we had that big yellow card to which my mother would position a piece of white paper with her needs - usually the type of bread and an occasional order of doughnuts or some luxury - remember this was during the depths of the depression. The card went in the front window.

As young children, we wondered how “Mr.” Freihofer could read the note. My mother gave us a variety of ways - he had exceptional eyesight, he had special eyeglasses, he had a special type of flashlight - and the horse read it. Somehow I still have one of those window cards.